Continuous casting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved continuous casting apparatus featuring an aftercooler that can be pivoted from its normally vertical operating position of alignment with the mold to an inclined position spaced-apart from the mold so as to permit easy removal and replacement of the aftercooler.

United States Patent Inventor William G. Wilson [56] Beaver Falls, Pa.

Appl. No. 769,657

Filed 01.1.22, 1968 Patented June 15, 1971 Assignee The Babcock & WilcoxCompany v New York, N.Y. 1,089,314

CONTINUOUS CASTING APPARATUS 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

Int. Cl Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967Foldessy 1 164/282 X 2/1970 Rokop et al. 164/89 X FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1954France 164/282 8/1966 Switzerland 164/282 Primary Examiner-J. SpencerOverholser Assistant Examiner-R. Spencer Annear Attorney-J. M. MaguireABSTRACT: An improved continuous casting apparatus featuring anaftercooler that can be pivoted from its normally vertical operatingposition of alignment with the mold to an inclined position spaced-apartfrom the mold so as to permit easy removal and replacement of theaftercooler.

PATENTEU JUH 1 515m SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR William Wilson AT URNEYATENTEU JUN} 5197:

SHEET 2 [IF 3 AEV AFT F|G.4 31A CONTINUOUS CASTING APPARATUS BACKGROUNDAND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tocontinuous casting apparatus, and more particularly to a continuouscasting installation wherein the aftercooling section is so arranged asto be rapidly removable.

The continuous casting of metals is gradually gaining acceptancethroughout the world as a convenient and economical means of producingbillets and slabs of various shapes. Generally, and as exemplified byUS. Pat. No. 3,200,456, the continuous casting process involves pouringmolten metal from a ladle into a tundish, from whence the metal ispoured into and passes through a water-cooled mold wherein at leastpartial solidification of the metal is effected, resulting in an embryocasting having a frozen skin of sufficient thickness to confine themolten metal core. This casting then passes downwardly through anelongate aftercooling section such as one of the type illustrated in US.Pat. No. 2,770,021, having disposed therein vertical rows of spraynozzles for directing jets of water onto the casting to continue thecooling process at a controlled, rapid rate. The aftercooling sectionalso includes a stack of rolls which engage the skin of the embryocasting to prevent its swelling or becoming distorted during the coolingprocess. Following the aftercooling section the now substantiallycompletely solidified casting is engaged by and passes through a set ofwithdrawal rolls which control the rate of descent and formation of thecasting. A suitable cutoff mechanism and ingot handling device arenormally disposed below the withdrawal rolls.

When it is desired to change the cross-sectional size or shape of theingot being produced, it is necessary that the multiplicity of rollersin the aftercooling section itself be replaced by another having itsrollers arranged to accommodate the embryo casting of the desired crosssection. The adjustment of these rollers is in itself a time consumingjob, and is rendered extremely awkward by the fact that the aftercoolingsection is in operative position in the continuous casting installation.Moreover, if the time consuming adjustment of the aftercooling sectionis made while the section is in situ, the entire continuous castinginstallation must necessarily be out of service during the extensivereadjustment period.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide acontinuous casting apparatus wherein the aftercooling section may bereadily and rapidly removed and replaced or removed for purposes ofreadjustment of the rollers and spray nozzles to accommodate the desiredsize and shape of casting. By providing such rapid removal andreplacement means, the downtime of the continuous casting installationfor purposes of casting size changes will be minimized, and use of theequipment can be optimally scheduled.

The various features of novelty which characterize the in vention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated and described a preferredembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, partly in section, of an improvedcontinuous casting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view, broken and partly in section, of atypical modular length unit of the aftercooler shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view of the aftercooler length unit shown inFIG. 2 as taken along line 3-3 therein.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the lower portionof the continuous casting apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

and illustrating the details of the base means supporting theaftercooler section therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODlMENTS OF THE INVENTION As shown inFIG. l, the continuous casting apparatus 10 is represented as being ofthe single strand type and includes a known pouring apparatus such as aladle 11 and a tundish 12 for the delivery of molten metal to acontinuous casting mold 13.

The molten metal is solidified, at least in part, within the mold 13 andemerges from the lower open end thereof as an embryo casting 14 having afrozen skin surrounding its core.

During normal operation of the continuous casting apparatus 10, theembryo casting 14 passes from mold 13 downwardly into and through anaftercooler unit 15 which is supported by a base 16 in an uprightgenerally vertical attitude in precise underlying alignment with mold13.

The embryo casting 14 or ingot reaching the lower end of mold 13 willhave a frozen skin of sufficient thickness to confine the molten coretherein. In passing through the aftercooler 15, the casting 14 is cooledby streams of water pro jected against its wall surface by nozzles (seeFIG. 2) l7 and its wall surface is constrained by rollers 18 which areintended to prevent swelling ofthe casting 14 under the influence of theferrostatic head in the core.

In leaving the aftercooler 15, the casting 14 passes through base 16 andan opening 20 in the floor 21 upon which base 16 is mounted.

The rate of movement of casting 14 from mold 13 and through aftercooler15 is regulated by a set of withdrawal rolls (not shown) located beneaththe floor 21 and positioned for gripping engagement with the exterior ofcasting 14.

The length of aftercooler 15 and the water output of nozzles 17 areproportioned such that casting 14 is completely solidified upon passingthrough aftercooler 15 and in leaving the withdrawal rolls it is cut tolength for ease of handling by an oxygen lance (not shown) or the like.The cut lengths of casting 14 can then be removed by any suitableconventional handling mechanism (not shown) for transportation tostorage or points of further processing.

Aftercooler 15, in accordance with the invention is constructed of aplurality of longitudinal sections 31 connected together end-to-end intandem superposed relation to one another. The lowermost aftercoolersection 31A is connected to the upper platform 32 of base 16, the upperplatform 32 being in turn pivotally connected to the lower platform 33of base 16 by means of trunnion parts 34 and 35.

As better seen in FIG. 4, both the platforms 32 and 33 have centralapertures 60 and 61 respectively positioned such that when aftercooler15 is in vertical alignment with mold 13, the apertures 60 and 61 definean open passageway which is aligned with floor opening 20, therebypermitting the casting 14 to exit aftercooler 15, pass downwardlythrough base 16 into the space below floor 21 where it can be cut to thedesired length and transported away.

The connections of aftercooler sections 31 to one another and to theplatform 32 are preferably made with releaseable fastening means 19,such as bolts, slotted pins and wedges, etc., to facilitate erection anddisassembly of the aftercooler unit 15.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate by way of example the structural details of atypical aftercooler section 31 in which it can be noted that eachaftercooler section 31 has an upper flange 36, a lower flange 37, and aplurality of columns 38 connected to flanges 36 and 37 and extendingtherebetween to support the rollers 18 and water distribution headers39, which extend throughout the height of each of the sections 31 and towhich the nozzles 17 are connected.

To assure alignment of the aftercooler sections 31 with one another, theupper flanges 36 has a counterbore 40 that receives a machined boss 41on the lower flange 37 of the superadjacent aftercooler section 3B.Likewise, to receive and align the assembled aftercooler 15 with thecasting 14 exit apertures 60, 61 in the base 16, the upper platform 32has a flange 42 which is similar to the flange 36 used in theaftercooler sections 31.

In each section 31 there is provided a water distributor manifold 43having an inlet 44 that can be quickly and easily connected to a watersupply hose (not shown), and having piping 45 connected to headers 39.

One of the principle advantages of the invention lies in the fact thatthe aftercooler 15, in its fully assembled state can be removed andreplaced quickly and conveniently whenever the need arises, as forexample, in changing the size and/or crosssectional shape of the casting14, or in the event that a liquid metal breakout occurs. In the lattercase, the liquid in the core of the partially solidified casting 14breaks through the solidified skin at a point below the bottom of mold13 causing liquid metal to spill over the nozzles 17 and guide rollers18 of aftercooler 15, and requiring immediate cleanup and removal of thespilled metal. There it will be appreciated that the downtime forservicing and maintenance of the overall casting apparatus can beattained when the aftercooler can be removed from underneath the mold13.

With the aftercooler support arrangement afforded by the instantinvention, the aftercooler 15 can be pivoted away from its normalvertical operating position. in alignment with the opening in the bottomof mold 33, into an inclined position, as shown in dashed outline inFlG. 1. In this latter position, the aftercooler 15 can be removed fromthe casting site and passed through an opening 46 in the pouring floor47 be means of a crane hoist 48.

To permit hoisting of aftercooler 15, an oppositely positioned set oflifting lugs 49 are attached to one of its sections 31 so that a sling50 borne by crane 48 can be secured to aftercooler l5.

Another lug' 51 is attached to this same section 31 so that theaftercooler 15 can be swung between its vertical and inclined positionsby means of a winch 53 supported by a column 54, and its associatedcable 52 connected to lug 51.

On column 54 there is provided a projecting bracket 55 that engagesaftercooler 15, preferably along the edge of one of its flanges 36, 37,to serve as a mechanical stop and for maintaining the aftercooler 15 inits position of precise vertical alignment with the opening in mold 13.

When the aftercooler 15 is raised into the vertical position, the winch53 can be locked so that the aftercooler 15 is secured against bracket55 by cable 52 to insure that alignment of aftercooler 15 with the mold13. Conventional releaseable fastening means (not shown) can be providedon bracket 55 and on the portions of aftercooler 15 adjacent thereto.

To retain aftercooler R5 in a predetermined inclined position above thehorizontal, there is provided on the lower platform 33 a block 56 havingan edge 57 that bears against an edge 58 of upper platform 32 whenaftercooler i5 is tilted down into an inclined position. Thus, the edges57 and 58 define a mechanical stop limiting the pivotal movement of theupper platform 32 relative to the lower platform 33 to preventaftercooler 15 from falling beyond a position, which will affordsuitable hoisting clearance around the casting apparatus 13.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there isillustrated and described herein a specific embodiment of the invention,those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in theform of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain featuresof the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without acorresponding use of the other features.

What I claim is:

1. In a continuous casting apparatus including a mold for forming acontinuous embryo casting having a frozen skin surrounding its core, andmeans for supplying to said mold molten material used in forming suchcasting, the improvement which comprises a base means having a rxedportion and a movable portion pivotably connected thereto about an axiswhich is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said mold, anaftercooler means including a casting support means disposed inunderlying relation to said mold and releasably fastened to said movablyportion for support thereby and for movement relative to said mold aboutsaid pivot axis, said aftercooler means being moveable between aposition of alignment with said mold, to receive the basting therefrom,and a position spaced-apart from said mold to accommodate removal andreplacement of said aftercooler means.

2. The improvement according to claim R wherein said aftercooler meansis in a generally vertical attitude when in said position of alignmentwith said mold, and is in an inclined attitude when in said spaced-apartposition.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 including mechanical stop meanspositioned in a predetermined relation to said mold and disposed forengagement with said aftercooler means to maintain same in said positionof alignment with the mold.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said aftercooler meanshas a longitudinal passage for accommodating the downward movementtherethrough of the casting from the mold, and including in said basemeans parts defining an open passage aligned with the passage of saidaftercooler means to accommodate the downward exit of the castingtherefrom through the base means when said aftercooler means is in saidposition of alignment with the mold.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said base meansincludes a lower platform positioned in fixed relation to said mold, andan upper platform releaseably connected to said aftercooler means andpivotally connected to said lower platform.

6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said base means includesparts defining a mechanical stop limiting the pivotal movement of saidupper platform relative to said lower platform to maintain saidaftercooler means in a predetermined inclined position spaced apart fromsaid mold.

7. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the pivot axis isdefined by trunnions extending on opposite sides of said aftercoolermeans, and trunnion bearings mounted on said base means support saidtrunnions.

1. In a continuous casting apparatus including a mold for forming acontinuous embryo casting having a frozen skin surrounding its core, andmeans for supplying to said mold molten material used in forming suchcasting, the improvement which comprises a base means having a fixedportion and a movable portion pivotably connected thereto about an axiswhich is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said mold, anaftercooler means including a casting support means disposed inunderlying relation to said mold and releasably fastened to said movablyportion for support thereby and for movement relative to said mold aboutsaid pivot axis, said aftercooler means being moveable between aposition of alignment with said mold, to receive the basting therefrom,and a position spaced-apart from said mold to accommodate removal andreplacement of said aftercooler means.
 2. The improvement according toclaim 1 wherein said aftercooler means is in a generally verticalattitude when in said position of alignment with said mold, and is in aninclined attitude when in said spaced-apart position.
 3. The improvementaccording to claim 2 including mechanical stop means positioned in apredetermined relation to said mold and disposed for engagement withsaid aftercooler means to maintain same in said position of alignmentwith the mold.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein saidaftercooler means has a longitudinal passage for accommodating thedownward movement therethrough of the casting from the mold, andincluding in said base means parts defining an open passage aligned withthe passage of said aftercooler means to accommodate the downward exitof the casting therefrom through the base means when said aftercoolermeans is in said position of alignment with the mold.
 5. The improvementas defined in claim 4 wherein said base means includes a lower platformpositioned in fixed relation to said mold, and an upper platformreleaseably connected to said aftercooler means and pivotally connectedto said lower platform.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5 whereinsaid base means includes parts defining a mechanical stop limiting thepivotal movement of said upper platform relative to said lower platformto maintain said aftercooler means in a predetermined inclined positionspaced apart from said mold.
 7. The improvement according to claim 1wherein the pivot axis is defined by trunnions extending on oppositesides of said aftercooler means, and trunnion bearings mounted on saidbase means support said trunnions.